Embracing Spiritual Gifts for Empowered Living
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor discussing the spiritual gifts of evangelism and prophecy, emphasizing that while some individuals may have a supernatural gifting in these areas, all believers can operate in these gifts. The pastor uses the analogy of playing soccer to illustrate this point, stating that just as not everyone can play soccer at the level of professional players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, not everyone will have an above-average gifting in evangelism and prophecy. However, this does not mean that they cannot operate in these gifts. The pastor encourages the congregation to use their gifts for the learning and encouragement of all, referencing 1 Corinthians 14.
The pastor then discusses the idea that not every prophetic word given in the Bible was accompanied by a perfect interpretation, using the example of Paul's journey to Jerusalem. The pastor emphasizes that while the believers' interpretation of the prophetic word was accurate in terms of the outcome, it was not aligned with the Holy Spirit's original instruction to Paul. This encourages the congregation by highlighting that even early believers in the Bible sometimes had slightly off interpretations, indicating that perfection is not necessary when operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The pastor shares a story about a man named Thomas Martinez who had a troubled life and ended up homeless in Bolivia. Unbeknownst to him, his wife had inherited a large sum of money before her passing, and as her sole heir, Thomas was entitled to six million dollars. However, he was unaware of this and never received or used any of the money. The pastor uses this story to illustrate how many Christians live their lives in a similar way when it comes to the Holy Spirit. They have been given spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit, but often fail to receive or utilize them, resulting in a life that falls short of their potential.
The pastor then focuses on the nine supernatural gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, emphasizing that these gifts are given by the Holy Spirit and cannot be earned. The pastor encourages the congregation to live a supernaturally empowered life by using the gifts God has given them. The pastor also shares a personal experience of receiving a word of knowledge from God, recounting waking up in the middle of the night with a sentence running through their head, stating that their friend Josh and his wife Priscilla are pregnant with a baby girl. The pastor acknowledges that they do not fully understand why God gave them this word of knowledge, but they did their best to share it with Josh, and it was confirmed supernaturally.
The pastor concludes the sermon by discussing the purpose and proper handling of prophetic words, emphasizing that prophetic words should be used to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others, rather than tearing them down. The pastor also warns against using God's name or a prophecy to manipulate others and encourages individuals to evaluate and test prophecies. They remind the congregation to welcome prophecies but to hold fast only to what is good and truly from God.
Key Takeaways:
- All believers can operate in the gifts of evangelism and prophecy, even if they don't have an above-average gifting in these areas. Just as not everyone can play soccer at the level of professional players, not everyone will have an above-average gifting in evangelism and prophecy. However, this does not mean that they cannot operate in these gifts ([12:45]).
- Not every prophetic word given in the Bible was accompanied by a perfect interpretation. Even early believers in the Bible sometimes had slightly off interpretations, indicating that perfection is not necessary when operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit ([22:30]).
- Many Christians live their lives in a similar way to Thomas Martinez, who was unaware of his inheritance and never received or used any of the money. They have been given spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit, but often fail to receive or utilize them, resulting in a life that falls short of their potential ([34:15]).
- The nine supernatural gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 are given by the Holy Spirit and cannot be earned. Believers are encouraged to live a supernaturally empowered life by using the gifts God has given them ([45:20]).
- Prophetic words should be used to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others, rather than tearing them down. Believers are warned against using God's name or a prophecy to manipulate others and are encouraged to evaluate and test prophecies ([56:30]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
2. 1 Corinthians 14:26: "What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up."
3. Acts 2:4: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the different kinds of gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and who distributes them?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 14:26, what should be the purpose of each person's contribution when believers come together?
3. In Acts 2:4, what happened when the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the distribution of different gifts by the same Spirit, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, reflect the unity and diversity within the body of Christ?
2. What does 1 Corinthians 14:26 suggest about the role of each believer in building up the church?
3. How does the event in Acts 2:4 demonstrate the empowering role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How are you using them for the common good as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11?
2. Considering 1 Corinthians 14:26, how can you contribute to the building up of your local church community in your next gathering?
3. In light of Acts 2:4, how can you seek to be more open to the enabling power of the Holy Spirit in your daily life?
4. Can you identify a situation in your life where you might have received a prophetic word but misinterpreted it? How can you seek clarity in such situations in the future?
5. Reflecting on the story of Thomas Martinez, are there spiritual gifts you've been given but have not yet received or utilized? How can you begin to tap into these gifts?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Spiritual Gifts
Every believer has been endowed with spiritual gifts, such as evangelism and prophecy. While not everyone may have an above-average gifting in these areas, it doesn't mean they cannot operate in these gifts. Just as not everyone can play soccer at the level of professional players, not everyone will have an above-average gifting in evangelism and prophecy. However, this does not mean that they cannot operate in these gifts ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek7nL4AoLJ8&t=750s)).
Romans 12:6-8 - "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you believe you have been given? How can you use these gifts to serve others in your community today?
Day 2: Imperfect Interpretations
Not every prophetic word given in the Bible was accompanied by a perfect interpretation. Even early believers in the Bible sometimes had slightly off interpretations, indicating that perfection is not necessary when operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit ([22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek7nL4AoLJ8&t=1335s)).
Acts 21:10-14 - "After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, 'The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’' When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, 'The Lord’s will be done.'"
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you misinterpreted a message or sign? How did you handle it and what did you learn from that experience?
Day 3: Unclaimed Inheritance
Many Christians live their lives in a similar way to Thomas Martinez, who was unaware of his inheritance and never received or used any of the money. They have been given spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit, but often fail to receive or utilize them, resulting in a life that falls short of their potential ([34:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek7nL4AoLJ8&t=2040s)).
Ephesians 1:18 - "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people."
Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you think you might be neglecting? How can you begin to utilize these gifts in your daily life?
Day 4: Supernatural Empowerment
The nine supernatural gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 are given by the Holy Spirit and cannot be earned. Believers are encouraged to live a supernaturally empowered life by using the gifts God has given them ([45:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek7nL4AoLJ8&t=2705s)).
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
Reflection: Which of the nine supernatural gifts do you feel most drawn to? How can you cultivate this gift in your life?
Day 5: The Purpose of Prophecy
Prophetic words should be used to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others, rather than tearing them down. Believers are warned against using God's name or a prophecy to manipulate others and are encouraged to evaluate and test prophecies ([56:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek7nL4AoLJ8&t=3375s)).
1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 - "Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil."
Reflection: Have you ever received a prophetic word? How did it impact you and how did you discern its authenticity?
Quotes
"Every believer can operate in these areas, but some have a supernatural above and beyond gifting." [25:59]
"Just because you may or may not have an above and beyond gifting in that area doesn't mean metaphorically that you can play soccer, that you can't play soccer and score some goals right. We can still do that." [27:15]
"Many times Christians live their life like that in regards to the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit has given us spiritual gifts that have been given through him to us and so many times we don't receive the gifts or we receive the gifts but we don't use the gifts and therefore we miss out and we live a life far below our potential." [01:49]
"Even the early Believers in the Bible who gave a word to Paul got an accurate word but were a little bit off in their interpretation, and so for you and I, we don't have to be perfect, we just need to do our best to try to Steward what God's speaking and moving through us." [24:55]
"That actually encourages me a whole heck of a lot because I think sometimes when we operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, if you've done that before or maybe you're new to that and you're like, I'm still trying to figure out what this is, what that does is that helps you to feel like you don't have to get it perfect every time." [24:55]
"If you share a prophetic word from somebody, it should be to encourage somebody, not to knock the legs out from under them and tell them what a terrible person they are." [49:33]
"We should welcome prophecies but we should evaluate them, especially if someone says you need to marry me because God said so." [23:09]
"The Holy Spirit distributes his gift, so it's worth knowing that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not ours to be earned, they are his to give."
"I don't want to get to the end of my life and realize metaphorically you had $6 million given to you and you didn't touch it and you didn't use it. God has given us gifts, we need to receive them and we need to use them."
"Being empowered by the gifts and operating that confirms and establishes the testimony of Jesus in your life."
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